Soulrend Trickster Build Guide (PoE Synthesis 3.6)

About the Author

Furty has been playing Path of Exile since the release of the Onslaught League in 2013, and has a deep and diverse well of experience within the game. Equally comfortable playing on Hardcore, Softcore, and Solo-Self Found Leagues, Furty finished the Betrayal League at Rank 186 on the ladder playing Elemental Hit. You can follow him on Twitter, or check out his occasional streams on Twitch.

Introduction

Soulrend is a brand-new skill, introduced to Path of Exile in the current league, Patch 3.6: Synthesis, and presents an exciting opportunity for players interested in playing a Chaos based build. The official description for the spell released in the patch notes is as follows:

Release a projectile that moves towards and passes through enemies, dealing chaos damage to enemies it hits and leeching a portion of that damage as Energy Shield. This projectile also applies a short-duration damage over time effect to enemies around its path.

This build is a quick mapper with strong defenses that excels in Synthesis. The main idea behind this build is survival and comfort while maintaining a really high rate of experience per hour and safely pushing towards Level 100, all on a relatively cheap budget with lots of room to expand. Fortunately, this also makes it an excellent and formidable league starter, and a perfect choice for the new league.

Cons

- Will not be able to Delve past ~500

Playstyle

Soulrend clears exceptionally quickly and safely even by itself, mowing down packs of monsters with ease. Get comfortable with how much damage the damage over time component is dealing, as you can usually fire off a single cast and move on while the mobs die in your wake. Use Bane to apply your curses and another damage over time component to tougher opponents. For bosses, simply apply your curses, place your Blight or Wither totems, and then melt the boss with Soulrend.

Passive Skill Tree

Mind Over Matter is a necessity if Cloak of Defiance is not being used by your character. All the nodes in the Shadow starting area are fantastic for this build, allowing us to get our feet under us very early and making the build a particularly sturdy one for leveling. Check out the leveling section later in the guide for more detailed information on the best trees and items for leveling this character.

There is some flexibility in how you spend your later points; we have opted to acquire the extra Frenzy Charge along with the nice Evasion Per Frenzy Charge node, which brings us to a total of 5 Frenzy charges, as well as some extra Mana and Jewels. We prefer this approach, as Jewels are a great way of continuing to scale our Chaos damage due to the lack of nodes on the tree.

Gems

Our main skill and gem used for clearing and bossing is Soulrend, which has some inherent Energy Shield Leech. Get around the area quickly using Shield Charge, which also serves as a means for keeping Fortify Support active whenever necessary. For bosses or extremely tanky foes, Wither will be used via Spell Totem Support, and allow us to absolutely melt whatever stands in our way. Flame Dash is also used as an alternative mobility skill due to its speed and flexibility, and it makes areas with many ledges or walls much less frustrating, such as the Labyrinth.

Empower Support (Level 4) can be one of the biggest damage boosters (likely replacing Swift Affliction Support, however, this is very expensive and also depends greatly on your level of gear. For example, having all your other gems at Level 21 first is generally a more pressing upgrade. Check Path of Building for your Exile for more exact information.

Most players who have played curse builds have a preference of defensive curse between Temporal Chains and Enfeeble. Overall, we feel Enfeeble is the more versatile of the two, but Temporal Chains can be highly effective in certain situations. If you are only able to run a single curse (e.g. pre Whispers of Doom) then use Controlled Destruction Support instead.

There is little point in placing your totems for general clearing, but they are a necessity for tougher opponents, such as Uber Elder. Wither is a great alternative that is arguably a superior choice for bossing, but is not as effective all-round.

This link is mostly used for getting around in open spaces, and for maintaining Fortify Support when necessary. Culling Strike Support is underrated, and you should remember to abuse it on bosses when possible, instantly finishing it when it falls below 10%.

Vaal Skills 3-Link

Ascendancy, Bandits, and Pantheon

Ascendancy

Weave the Arcane

Swift Killer

Patient Reaper

Prolonged Pain

Additional Information

Trickster is a highly underrated Ascendancy with a huge amount of power, and it comes online very early in the leveling process without the need for end-game gear or Uber Labyrinth. It also allows for more flexible early gearing as it does not rely on Energy Shield as heavily and provides more clear speed and a better rounded defensive phalanx.

Weave the Arcane is an incredible node, and it should be the first pick for your Trickster. The free use of movement skills is really convenient for leveling, giving us a virtually permanent 20% Boost to Attack and Cast speed, both of which are valuable to our build (the Attack Speed boosts Shield Charge speed). In the end-game the 6% damage reduction will be active most of the time, and the increased Mana pool results in more effective health due to Mind Over Matter.

Swift Killer is an easy second choice, granting permanent Frenzy/Power Charges for this build. This helps with movement speed around the area, making leveling even faster, as well adding a respectable injection of damage.

Patient Reaper is a massive node for this build, although it is not as effective until you are reaching the end-game, hence why we save it for our third pickup. Overall, it just provides everything we could ask for; increased Damage over Time, resources back on kill, and increased recovery on kill. Once Merciless lab is completed you will feel a potent boost to your exile as you step into the end-game.

Prolonged Pain is just icing on the cake, stacking some additional skill effect duration and damage over time.

Deal with the Bandits Reward

You should kill all three bandits for the Passive Points it provides. Alira is an alternative choice, which can be extremely valuable for league-starters or solo-self found characters, mainly due to the large resistance bonuses it provides. Once end-game is achieved, and proper gear acquired, however, it is recommended to shift to the 2 Passive Points.

Pantheon

As with many builds, Pantheon choices are rather flexible and can be adjusted to suit the situation and personal preference.

Major Gods

Soul of Arakaali is a great all around choice, especially when fully upgraded.

Soul of Solaris remains a great choice for general bossing when fully upgraded.

Minor Gods

Soul of Shakari is a good all purpose choice, particularly with the Incursion league being added as a permanent fixture. The upgrade, granting Poison immunity, is particularly good and removes a map affix from any sort of relevance entirely.

Soul of Yugul is typically the best choice for Shaper and [Uber] Elder.

Soul of Ralakesh is a good choice for Uber Atziri.

Gear, Jewels, and Flasks

You will find the recommended gear for this build detailed below. As Soulrend is a new skill, there will updates to this section over the first week of Synthesis league as we discover and implement new optimizations.

Armor

Chest

Belly of the Beast is relatively inexpensive and prevents a huge boost to survival. This forces us to take Mind Over Matter on the tree, but is generally worth the trade off.

Cloak of Defiance is a cheap an effective choice, providing an empowered version of Mind Over Matter as well as a large helping of Evasion and Energy Shield.

Cherrubim's Maleficence is a higher damage option, at the expense of defense and Passive Skill points (as you will be required to invest into Mind Over Matter).

Tabula Rasa is a perfectly viable option early on, particularly if you find a few Humility cards while leveling.

Helmet

This is a very flexible slot, and can be easily adjusted for whatever your build needs at the moment. We will be using a Rare item, preferably with an Evasion base. Prioritize the stats as follows:

[Uncapped] Resistances

+# to Maximum Life

Nearby Enemies have -9% to Chaos Resistance (Delve Suffix)

% Increased Evasion Rating

+# to Evasion Rating

To craft the -9% to Chaos Resistance helmet for this build you will need Aberrant Fossils. This is not a necessary suffix by any means, but it is not difficult to craft, and usually costs only a few chaos worth of fossils and resonators to do so. Consider crafting this suffix when you buy a Labyrinth enchant, as white bases are usually cheapest anyways.

Gloves

We will be using a Rare in this slot. Fingerless Silk Gloves are an option for damage, though at the expense of extra Evasion in this slot. Prioritize the stats as follows:

[Uncapped] Resistances

+# to Maximum Life

Increased Attack Speed

% Increased Evasion Rating

+# to Evasion Rating

Boots

Three-step Assault is a good choice if you are running Onslaught via Flasks or Ahn's Heritage, and can be cheaply obtained or found on Solo Self-Found with little effort. The Spell Dodge is also quite beneficial when stacking with the rest of our defenses.

A Rare item is also a great choice for this slot. Prioritize stats as follows:

[Uncapped] Resistances

25%+ Movement Speed

+# to Maximum Life

Increased Attack Speed

% Increased Evasion Rating

+# to Evasion Rating

The 2-socket version of Bubonic Trail is a great late-game upgrade that adds some significant damage. Do not bother trying to fit a Ghastly Eye Jewel anywhere in your build, as they only have useless affixes.

Weapons and Shield

Main Hand/Weapon

Breath of the Council is our weapon of choice. The Chaos Damage, Area of Effect, and Skill Effect duration is too much to pass up. A Rare should be used until it can be acquired. Cerberus Limb can also be used, and is usually cheap and easily bought.

Shield

Ahn's Heritage is our shield of choice. Good block chance and high defenses are welcome, and using two Fragility Jewels forces the shield effect to remain active at all times. This means that while using this shield we have the benefits of a maximum roll Loreweave (78% resistances) without sacrificing the chest slot, and permanent Onslaught.

A Rare can be used until Ahn's Heritage can be acquired. Prioritize stats as follows:

[Uncapped] Resistances

+# to Maximum Life

% Increased Spell Damage

% Increased Cast Speed

+# to Mana

Jewelry

Amulet

A Rare amulet is used. Prioritize the stats as follows:

[Uncapped] Resistances

+# to Maximum Life

% Increased Chaos Damage (Delve Prefix OR Essence Suffix)

% Increased Spell Damage

Increased Movement Speed (Shaped Prefix)

+# to Maximum Mana

Increased Attack Speed

Ring #1

Essence Worm occupies one of our Ring slots, allowing us to run Malevolence for free with massively increased effect. Use a Rare until this can be obtained; see Ring #2 for information on stat hierarchies.

Ring #2

A Rare ring is used. Unless you need Resistances from the implicit, a Coral Ring is overall the most desirable base. Prioritize the stats as follows:

We recommend starting with Freezing Pulse, which works well with Lifesprig if you have one. Once you are Level 12, and enter the Cavern of Wrath, pick up Storm Brand from Nessa and start using it as your main clearing skill.

Looks good, so far. Time will tell how it fares. I’m gonna try it out as a League Starter.

Case in point; The leveling trees you’ve put out in the 9.1 Section of Leveling,
specifically the “Starting out(Freezing Pulse / Storm Brand)” and the “88 Points and Cruel Lab Completed”
is currently not working. Something seems to be wrong with it, anywho, since it can’t load the build.

Great guide, only issues I had was reaching the str requirements on a couple of the items, namely the shield. Also one thing I would like to point out is that you have Arcane Surge Support paired up with Flame Dash, but the first Ascendancy talent you take makes movement skills cost no mana, therefore making that gem null and void since it can never proc.

Great guide, only issues I had was reaching the str requirements on a couple of the items, namely the shield. Also one thing I would like to point out is that you have Arcane Surge Support paired up with Flame Dash, but the first Ascendancy talent you take makes movement skills cost no mana, therefore making that gem null and void since it can never proc.

All fixed, alongside some updates to the build that I have found stronger since Synthesis has gone live!

Hello, I put 2 Fragility jewels with ahn’s , so i currently have a maximum of 0 endurance charges, but i never get Onslaught. I read on the poe wiki that this setup will give me perma Onslaught… Is the buff hidden or i’ve miss something ?

Hello, I put 2 Fragility jewels with ahn’s , so i currently have a maximum of 0 endurance charges, but i never get Onslaught. I read on the poe wiki that this setup will give me perma Onslaught… Is the buff hidden or i’ve miss something ?

There’s no visual indicator, but you should see the difference in cast speed/movement speed reflected in your character pane.

First post, and newbie question: I found this build guide too late, and am switching over to it as I didn’t like the one I found originally (thankfully easy enough to do with enough Orbs of Regret). Would this build be possible using Vixen’s Entrapment and Queen of the Forest? Thank you in advance.

First post, and newbie question: I found this build guide too late, and am switching over to it as I didn’t like the one I found originally (thankfully easy enough to do with enough Orbs of Regret). Would this build be possible using Vixen’s Entrapment and Queen of the Forest? Thank you in advance.

Certainly! The gearing paths are pretty flexible, and Queen can be worked in to pretty much anything if you want to! You’ll want to be sure your helm is an Evasion base, of course, and you might consider Survivalist, depending on whether or not you can make use of the Resistances.

Posts

2

April 27th, 2019 19:41

Hello,

It’s my 2nd character, because my ranger suck so i wanted to try a spell caster

I have big issue, I need 82 str for to use mace + shield :(

In, skilltree u dont use str or not item with str ?? Help me please :)

First post, and newbie question: I found this build guide too late, and am switching over to it as I didn’t like the one I found originally (thankfully easy enough to do with enough Orbs of Regret). Would this build be possible using Vixen’s Entrapment and Queen of the Forest? Thank you in advance.

Certainly! The gearing paths are pretty flexible, and Queen can be worked in to pretty much anything if you want to! You’ll want to be sure your helm is an Evasion base, of course, and you might consider Survivalist, depending on whether or not you can make use of the Resistances.

I ended up going with a Belly of the Beast as the Queen of the Forest felt too squishy. It’s a very fun build, massive crowd clearer for maps. I’m finding trouble in end game, however (example: T15 Waste Pool is chaos resistant). Seems a lot of bosses are chaos resistant, which leaves very little wind in my sails to topple them. :(

First post, and newbie question: I found this build guide too late, and am switching over to it as I didn’t like the one I found originally (thankfully easy enough to do with enough Orbs of Regret). Would this build be possible using Vixen’s Entrapment and Queen of the Forest? Thank you in advance.

Certainly! The gearing paths are pretty flexible, and Queen can be worked in to pretty much anything if you want to! You’ll want to be sure your helm is an Evasion base, of course, and you might consider Survivalist, depending on whether or not you can make use of the Resistances.

I ended up going with a Belly of the Beast as the Queen of the Forest felt too squishy. It’s a very fun build, massive crowd clearer for maps. I’m finding trouble in end game, however (example: T15 Waste Pool is chaos resistant). Seems a lot of bosses are chaos resistant, which leaves very little wind in my sails to topple them. :(

https://pastebin.com/qsfTEpiE

Agreed, Belly of the Beast is so cheap and effective for this build it’s hard to argue with, especially as a baseline. Having 20/20 gems will make a massive difference, and Vaal Righteous Fire helps a fair bit with single target if you’re lacking. Other than that it just comes down to gear — as with many things in Path of Exile — Helm Enchants, -9% Chaos Resistance piece(s), and small improvements on Jewels and such will add exponentially better gains.

+3 Bow can be the best possible damage if you can afford the upgrade — in addition to the +3 gem levels (+1 socketed/+2 support gems) you want Non-Ailment Chaos Damage Over Time and 10% Chance to Gain Arcane Surge on Kill. Cast Speed/Mana Regeneration is also a really nice affix.

I’ll be updating the guide with some more super late-game setups for Flashback and future leagues, so stay tuned if you are interested!

Hello, after playing this guide for a while, i’m currently lvl 92. I made some changes in passive tree, in order to get enough strength and more survivability
The most important change i made is not to put points in phase acrobatics. Instead, i’ve reach Arcane swiftness + few points in node life. i clear t16 maps easily, elder too (not try uber elder ATM).
In the stuff part, i mainly focus on resistances, which have been a big problem for me, that’s why i don’t have a stygian wise but a heavy belt (help in strength requirements).
A good helmet to progress, and not expensive is the Doerdre’s Scorn, useful to put your Bane in until you have luck / currency to afford a good rare helmet.
Anyway, your guide is great ! You can found my PoB here : https://pastebin.com/dUvGJpB8

Hello, after playing this guide for a while, i’m currently lvl 92. I made some changes in passive tree, in order to get enough strength and more survivability
The most important change i made is not to put points in phase acrobatics. Instead, i’ve reach Arcane swiftness + few points in node life. i clear t16 maps easily, elder too (not try uber elder ATM).
In the stuff part, i mainly focus on resistances, which have been a big problem for me, that’s why i don’t have a stygian wise but a heavy belt (help in strength requirements).
A good helmet to progress, and not expensive is the Doerdre’s Scorn, useful to put your Bane in until you have luck / currency to afford a good rare helmet.
Anyway, your guide is great ! You can found my PoB here : https://pastebin.com/dUvGJpB8

Right on, I’m glad to hear you’ve adapted the build to suit your needs and available currency, and that you enjoyed the guide!